The Solti Foundation- Award Winners 2011

Discover previous award winners

: Hayrapet Arakelyan
Armenia, saxophone

This young classical saxophonist from Armenia, currently studying at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, was awarded funding towards the costs of purchasing a new saxophone. Writing to express his thanks for the award, Hyrapet said: “I am really happy to receive this grant to improve my instrument… thank you for this great news!”. See his website at www.hayrapet-arakelyan.de
: Renata Benvegnu
Italy, piano

A grant for this young pianist from Italy contributed to the costs of sitting her final Diploma exam at the Accademia Nazionale di S. Cecilia in Rome. On receiving the award, Renata wrote: “I am really honoured to be awarded this grant from the Solti Foundation. Thank you very much, it means a lot to me”. See Renata’s website at www.renatabenvegnu.it
: Julia Den Boer
France/USA, piano

Funding towards the costs of participating in the 2012 Concours d’Orléans was granted to this young French-American pianist. Julia, who is currently completing her Doctoral studies at Stony Brook University in New York, also received assistance with the costs of commissioning new music for the Competition. Julia writes: “The grant is wonderful news and I thank you very much for considering my project and supporting it, I am extremely grateful.” See Julia's website at www.juliadenboer.com.
: Milica Djordjevic
Serbia, composition

Milica, who is currently completing her postgraduate studies in Berlin, was awarded a grant to help with the costs of participating in the 2011 Tzlil Meudcan International Summer Course and Festival for Contemporary Music in Tel Aviv. Expressing her thanks for the award, Milica wrote: “Your support means a lot to me. I am honoured to be among the people who deserve your trust”. The website of this young composer is at http://milicadjordjevic.com
: Magdalena Filipczak
Poland, violin

A contribution to the costs of purchasing a new instrument was made to Magdalena Filipczak, a young Polish violinist who is currently pursuing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music in London. On hearing of her award, Magdalena wrote: “I am delighted … and enormously grateful for the support of the Solti Foundation, which will help me fulfil my dream of having my own instrument!” Magdalena’s website may be found at www.magdalenafilipczak.com
: Susana Janeiro
Portugal, bassoon

Portuguese bassoon player, Susana Janeiro, received a contribution towards the costs of purchasing a new instrument. Susana, who is completing her postgraduate studies at the Hochschule der Künste in Zurich, writes: “It was for me a great honour to receive this award from the Solti Foundation, this generous contribution will certainly be very important for my future career”.
: Bing Bing Li
China, piano

Funding towards the costs of purchasing a piano was awarded to Bing Bing Li, a young pianist from China, who is currently completing her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Bing Bing writes: “Thank you very much for the wonderful news of this award… I am thrilled that the Foundation will help me pursue my dream of owning a piano”.
: Rafal Luc
Poland, accordion

Classical accordion player, Rafal Luc, received funding towards the cost of lessons in Italy with Claudio Jacomucci. Rafal, who is currently pursuing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, was also granted assistance with the costs of commissioning new works for the accordion. On hearing of the award, he wrote: “Thank you for this amazing news. I am very happy to be awarded a Solti Foundation grant!” Rafal’s website may be found at www.rafalluc.com.
: Ioana Mitu
Romania, soprano

This young soprano from Romania, currently a member of Opera Studio, Netherlands, received funding towards the costs of attending masterclasses with Thomas Heyer. A grant was also awarded to assist with the costs of participating in the 2011 Marmande International Singing Competition in France. Ioana writes: “I am delighted to have won a Solti Foundation grant and I thank you for your support. This grant is very important for me because it gives me the possibility to improve my vocal technique. Also, the Marmande Competition could provide opportunities for future projects”. See Ioana’s website at www.ioanamitu.com.
: Daniel Palmizio
Italy, viola

Italian viola player Daniel Palmizio was awarded a grant towards the costs of participating in the 2011 Primrose International Viola Competition in New Mexico, USA. Daniel began his studies at the S. Cecilia Conservatoire of Rome and continued at the Royal College of Music in London and at the Accedemia Chigiana in Siena. He is currently performing internationally, whilst pursuing his studies at the Accademia Stauffer in Cremona, Italy.
: Evis Sammoutis
Cyprus, composition

A contribution towards the costs of participating in the San Fedele Award for Young Artists in Milan was awarded to Evis Sammoutis, a young composer from Cyprus. On hearing of his award, Evis, who teaches at the European University Cyprus, wrote: “I cannot thank you enough for this honour and for this fantastic support. I feel very privileged that the Foundation is supporting my work, and I will do my best to make your support worthwhile”. His website is at www.evissammoutis.com.
: Maria Slawek
Poland, violin

Polish violinist Maria Slawek received help towards the costs of participating in masterclasses with Maxim Vengerov in Gdansk and also to attend music workshops in Kolobrzeg, Poland, in the summer of 2011. On receiving the award, Maria, who is completing postgraduate studies at the Academy of Music in Krakow, wrote: “Thank you, this grant means a lot to me”. For more information about this young violinist, visit www.myspace.com/mariaslawek.
: Jessica Strong
Canada, soprano

Jessica’s grant contributed to the costs of attending masterclasses at the 2011 Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, USA. A postgraduate student at the University of Toronto, this young Canadian soprano wrote to express her gratitude for the award: “Thank you for this honour, I am so pleased to be a recipient of a grant from the Solti Foundation”.
: Oksana Svekla
Belorussia / Poland, piano

Funding to attend the 2011 International M.K. Ciurlionis Piano and Organ Competition in Vilnius was awarded to Oksana Svekla, a young pianist from Poland. Oksana, who has completed studies in Minsk, Warsaw and Vienna, also received a grant towards participation in the 2011 Vienna Master Courses. “I am very happy and honoured to become one of the Solti Foundation scholarship holders”, she wrote on receiving the award.
: Nadejda Tzanova
Bulgaria, piano

Bulgarian pianist Nadeja Tzanova received a contribution towards the costs of purchasing a digital piano. Having completed her studies at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Nadeja is currently a postgraduate student at the Brussels Royal Conservatory in Belgium.
: Anamaria Vaduva
Romania, piano

A grant for this young pianist from Romania will help with the costs of participating in the 2011 Vienna International Piano Competition. Anamaria, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, writes with her thanks: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude - I will do my best to fulfil the purpose of this award.”
: Jung Nan Yoon
South Korea, soprano

Jung Nan Yoon, a young soprano from South Korea, currently completing her postgraduate training at the Julliard Opera Centre in New York, was awarded a grant towards the costs of attending the 2011 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Assistance was also granted to help Jung Nan attend the Opera Course at the Accademia Nazionale di S. Cecilia in Rome. On receiving her grant, Jung Nan wrote: “Thank you so much. It is an honour and a pleasure to receive this important award from the Solti Foundation”.